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The Fear of God
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSin arises from a lack of fearing God, a fundamental principle that shapes one's relationship with Him. Without this fear, individuals fail to take God into account in their lives, leading to conduct that reveals contempt for Him, even if not verbally expressed. This contempt manifests in actions that disregard God's judgment and the sacrifice of Christ, treating them as negligible. Such a disposition, rooted in the heart, drives sinful behavior, showing a lack of reverence for God's holiness and justice. The absence of fear of God results in a failure to react appropriately to His will, allowing sin to persist. When Adam and Eve sinned, it was because they lacked this fear; they were deceived into believing there would be no consequences for their actions, ignoring the reality that God can destroy in hellfire. Their choice unleashed pain and trauma on mankind, demonstrating how not fearing God leads to catastrophic outcomes. Fearing God is essential to departing from evil and living a godly life. It compels one to hate evil, pride, and arrogance, and to choose righteousness in every circumstance. Without this fear, moral and ethical clarity is lost, and life lacks direction and purpose. Sin flourishes where there is no dread of God's judgment, no recognition of His power to punish, and no submission to His way. Thus, the fear of God is the foundation that prevents sin, guiding one toward salvation by instilling a proper response to His authority and purpose.
The Fear of God (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe, listen up! Sin often stems from a lack of fear toward God, and this principle is crucial to grasp. People who do not fear God will drift away from Him, while the fear of God draws us closer to Him, contrary to how we usually flee from our fears. This fear is beneficial, fostering unity among those who respect God's Word, as seen with the 120 who waited in Jerusalem as Jesus Christ commanded, trembling at His Word and steadfastly laying aside their own plans. Consider Ananias and Sapphira, whose sin of deception arose from fearing men more than God. Their desire for human praise led them to lie, lacking the holy fear that respects God's right to truthfulness. Their judgment was swift, just as with Nadab and Abihu, showing that God in the New Testament is no different from the Old. Great fear came upon the church after their punishment, jolting them out of complacency and prompting a reevaluation of attitudes and conduct before God. This fear of God is not a weakness but a vital defense against sin. It prevents us from taking Him for granted or growing contemptuous, ensuring we do not disregard His commands as trivial. Without this fear, sin festers, as seen in those who failed to heed God's Word across time. If satan had feared God, he would not have rebelled so foolishly. We, too, play this foolish game when we lack proper fear, though God patiently works with us as we grow in understanding its importance. The fear of God works alongside faith, hope, and love, enhancing our relationship with Him. It does not hinder love but supports it, ensuring we avoid actions that could damage our bond with Him. God's reaction to sin varies, as seen with Eli's sons compared to Ananias and Sapphira, due to the nearness of His glory and revelation at the time of the sin. Yet, judgment is sure, even if delayed, as God balances mercy and justice, patiently waiting for us to grow while never failing to judge sin.
The Fear of God (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSin arises from a lack of fear of God, leading to grave consequences for those who fail to revere Him. When individuals do not fear God, they risk engaging in behaviors that separate them from His presence, as evil is what distances us from Him. Without this fear, there is a tendency to become careless or negligent in handling God's Word, potentially bringing judgment upon oneself. The absence of fear can deceive one into thinking that delayed justice implies acceptance of sin, yet justice delayed is not justice denied. God cannot be outwitted or outfoxed, and the wages of sin remain death, even if His judgment appears patient. This lack of fear manifests in various forms of disobedience and disrespect, evident in both personal conduct and societal leadership. Leaders and individuals who do not fear God may conceive mischief and lies, ultimately facing His judgment, as they will be brought to fear Him through whatever means necessary. Within the community of believers, a lack of fear can lead to neglecting God's commandments, tarnishing the church's image, and even withdrawing from fellowship, violating the call to encourage and exhort one another. God questions, "Where is My respect?" when His people value lightly the privileges and gifts He has bestowed, such as forgiveness, access to Him, and union with His Son. The fear of God is essential as the first line of defense against sin, preventing the profaning of His name and protecting from pain or death. It is through fearing Him that one departs from evil, prompting God to draw close in reciprocity. Without this fear, individuals may abuse His grace, misunderstanding it as a cover-up for sin rather than a call to change and overcome. God expects transformation, not complacency, and despises the misuse of His grace as a dismissal of His Son's sacrifice. Thus, the absence of fear fosters a cycle of sin, while its presence fosters obedience, reverence, and a deepening relationship with Him.
Sin Defined and Overcome
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughSin, as portrayed with grave seriousness, is utterly detrimental to one's well-being, offering no good beyond fleeting pleasure. It is a major impediment to achieving God's purpose for creating mankind humanity, viewed as a failure and a cause of suffering defeat in life's overall purpose. The Bible's writers, from Genesis to Revelation, speak of sin in terms of heinousness and tragedy, urging one to turn away from it at any cost. God did not create us for failure but for victory, calling us to overcome sin, as seen in Revelation 2:11, where He promises that those who overcome shall not be hurt by the second death. A primary reason sin is viewed so darkly is its creation of estrangement from God, separating us from the source of power to succeed. Isaiah 59:1-3 reveals that iniquities separate us from our God, hiding His face so He will not hear. Sin destroys relationships, whether with fellow humans or with God, always producing separation and never healing. This separation is vividly illustrated in Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:22-24, where God commanded Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge, warning of death, and upon disobedience, physically removed him from Eden, symbolizing the ultimate separation that sin brings. Sin is depicted as a constant presence, lying at the door with a desire for us, yet we are called to rule over it, as stated in Genesis 4:7. This battle to resist sin's appeals is our responsibility, and in making these efforts, we are accepted by Him. The seriousness of sin is reaffirmed in Revelation 22:18-19, where God warns that those who tamper with His words will lose their part in the Book of Life, showing His unyielding stance against sin from beginning to end. Overcoming sin, though formidable, is not hopeless. Luke 12:35-37 and 46-48 encourage vigilance and individual judgment based on our abilities, gifts, dedication, and efforts to overcome, as God evaluates us according to what He knows we are capable of. Sin's ultimate seriousness lies in its opposition to God's purpose of oneness with Him and His Son, as expressed in John 17:11, a high calling that demands we align completely with Them, who do not sin. Sin is defined as a deviation from what is good and right, often revealed as missing the mark, as seen in the Hebrew term hata (Strong's 2398), meaning to miss or be out of alignment with a standard, as in Job 5:24 and Judges 20:16. In moral contexts, such as Proverbs 8:36, it is translated as sin, indicating a wrong against one's soul. Sin can be unintentional, as in Leviticus 4:2, indicating ignorance or straying, and God mercifully considers the circumstances in His judgment, showing leniency for sins of weakness, though they can still have devastating effects, as described in Psalm 58:3-4. Presumptuous sins, often translated as transgressions from the Hebrew term pasha (Strong's 6588), imply a willful breaking away or rebellion, as seen in Amos 1:3 and 1 Kings 12:19. Even those ignorant of God's law can be charged with such sins due to their bold, vicious, and continuous nature. Israel's sins, though not always violent, are marked by stubborn hardheadedness and pride, deemed presumptuous by God for their persistent nature, as noted in Amos 3:14 and Romans 10:1-3. The motivation to overcome sin requires qualities and attitudes, with the fear of God being paramount. Psalm 2:10-12 and Psalm 34:11 emphasize serving the Lord with fear and trembling, a quality that must be learned even after conversion, as it is not natural to us. This fear, distinct from worldly fears, is a powerful motivator to avoid sin due to awe of His power, as reinforced in Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6:13, and Isaiah 8:11-13. God desires this fear alongside love, as both are inseparable in our relationship with Him, ensuring we dread displeasing Him while rejoicing in His presence. This fear of God, as seen in Mark 4:37-41, arises from recognizing His vast superiority and power, leading to reverential awe. It is tied to
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's mysteries have been in plain sight from the beginning of time, but carnality has obscured them from mankind.
Is God in All Our Thoughts?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.
Conviction to Godly Righteousness
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughReal repentance and conviction of righteousness should dramatically augment prayer, study, meditation, but most importantly, how we live our lives.
God and Reality
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhat God puts us through is designed to reveal reality to us. Accepting His doctrine without looking for loopholes will keep us true.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are required to make judgments in our area of influence, in the home and in our own lives. We cannot be careless with God's standards in our own family.
Four Views of Christ (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.
Avoiding Detrimental Assumptions
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe world's religions have attempted to cast Almighty God into their faulty images, crafting an evil and destructive situational ethics.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe church of God is not immune to the deterioration of doctrine. Minor deviations from doctrine bring about irreparable, disastrous consequences.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made the New Covenant because Jacob's offspring did not have what it took to fulfill the terms of the Old Covenant. The carnal mind is hostile to God's law.
Foolishness and Cleansing
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHuman nature has a perverse drive to take risks, pushing the envelope, taking unwise chances, foolishly gambling away the future. Foolishness is sin.
Unity and Our Responsibilities
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughBecause of the justification that individual sins do not matter much, Israel's collective unity was destroyed. We cannot practice this self-excusing mindset.